Oxidized guar for oilfield servicing fluids

a technology of oilfield servicing fluid and guar, which is applied in the direction of fluid removal, chemistry apparatus and processes, and wellbore/well accessories, etc. it can solve the problems of not being able to disclose the use of oxidized polymers in oilfield servicing fluids, requiring a significant capital investment, and not being able to fully extract the optimum viscosity potential of guar splits. achieve sufficient carrying capacity and water retention, reduce loading, and high viscosity

Active Publication Date: 2007-11-29
HERCULES LLC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] High viscosity grade guars are desired in order to provide sufficient carrying capacity and water retention at reduced loading, to minimize the residue content, left by the guar after break, in the fractures, and therefore to maximize the return.
[0018] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,022,717; 6,124,124; 6,179,962, all of which have been incorporated by reference in their entireties, disclose the use of galactose oxidase in producing an oxidized guar. It has been found that treatment of guar with a small amount of galactose oxidase enhances the viscosity of guar and guar which is useful in oil field servicing fluids.

Problems solved by technology

To produce such a high viscosity guar, the use of the newly engineered guar splits is not sufficient enough to fully extract the optimum viscosity potential out of the splits.
However, many of the process changes would require a significant capital investment to consistently produce the desired high viscosity guar.
This patent does not disclose the use of such oxidized polymers in oilfield servicing fluids.
This patent does not disclose the use of such oxidized polymers in oilfield servicing fluids.
This patent does not disclose use of such oxidized polymer in oilfield servicing fluids.
This patent does not disclose any galactose oxidase treatment to enhance the viscosity of the guar.

Method used

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  • Oxidized guar for oilfield servicing fluids
  • Oxidized guar for oilfield servicing fluids
  • Oxidized guar for oilfield servicing fluids

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 1

[0043] Experiments were carried out on a lab scale by diluting galactose oxidase in an amount of tempering water, then adding the tempering water containing the galactose oxidase onto guar splits and mixing the hydrating splits for 10-15 minutes. An amount of guar splits were tempered without the additional galactose oxidase for comparative purposes. The temperature of the tempering water was varied from 75° C. to 96° C. (167° F. to 205° F.). The guar splits moisture was kept around 50%. After the guar splits were tempered or hydrated, the wet guar splits were then flaked. Then, 1% solutions were prepared with the guar flakes (high shear mixing was required to ensure full dissolution). All solutions were mixed under the same conditions. After measuring the guar solutions Brookfield viscosity using a #4 spindle at 30 rpm at room temperature (approximately 21° C.), the solutions were then diluted with 4% KCl brine, corresponding to an average of 40 pptg loading in 2% KCl brine, and th...

example 2

[0046] The laboratory results of Example 1 were validated in on a plant scale. The target was to produce a fast hydrating high viscosity guar by treatment of guar splits with galactose oxidize enzymes on a larger scale. Based on previous laboratory work, the initial level of enzyme treatment was set at 2.5 IU / g of guar to achieve a minimum target Fann linear gel viscosity (300 rpm Dial Reading, at 25° C.) at 40 pptg loading in 2% KCl brine. For this trial, 34 litres of galactose oxidize enzyme solution were used.

[0047] The enzyme solution was continuously metered into the premix pot, simultaneously with tempering water and splits. The wetted splits were then hydrated for about 15 minutes before the flaking process. During the trial, several tempering conditions were investigated. The splits moisture was varied from 45% to 51% and the water temperature from 36° to 44° C. (96° to 111° F.). Guar flour samples were taken on hourly basis and the Fann viscosity was measured in order to f...

example 3

[0054] Additional experiments were conducted in the plant using a batch process. Based on previous scaled-up experiments in Example 2 using a continuous process, initial level of enzymes treatment was set at 2.5 IU / g of guar. Later on, the efficiency of the galactose oxidase (G.O.) was increased by activating the G.O. with catalase and peroxidise. The activation of G.O. was achieved by mixing the G.O. with 8.53% catalase and 1.07% peroxidase (amount based on G.O. weight). The aldehyde guar samples were prepared by adding 0.68 kg (1.5 lb) G.O. or activated G.O. into 226.8 kg (500 lbs) wet splits (55-57% moisture) and reacted for 30 minutes at temperature varying from 27° C. to 35° C. (80° F. to 95° F.). The splits were then flaked, dried and ground. The resulting guar flour was tested for linear gel viscosity as well as for crosslinked viscosity.

[0055] The hydration rate / linear gel development of the standard guar and aldehyde guar samples was determined at a dosage of 40 pptg (poun...

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Abstract

An oilfield servicing fluid composition containing an aldehyde guar produced by enzymatic oxidation of a non-derivatized, straight guar or of a guar derivative. The enzyme used to oxidize the guar to the aldehyde guar is galactose oxidase, which may be combined with catalase or catalase and peroxidase. The aldehyde guar is useful as an effective gelling agent for oilfield servicing fluids such as hydraulic fracturing fluids and stimulation fluids.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 801,657 filed on May 19, 2006 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a composition and use application of oxidized guar in oilfield servicing fluids. More specifically, this invention relates to the use of enzyme-treated guar as an effective gelling agent for hydraulic fracturing and stimulation fluids. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0003] Drilling an oil or gas well involves several steps prior and after a well is put into production. Primary oil-recovery operations include drilling the well, cementing the casing to the formation and completing the well prior to oil or gas production. Workover operations may be necessary during remedial work in producing wells, usually as an attempt to enhance or prolong the economic life of a well. When flow rate of the oil or gas is diminished, the reservoir of the well may be tr...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): C09K8/62
CPCC09K8/68C09K8/90C09K8/86
Inventor MELBOUCI, MOHANDNGUYEN, TUYEN T.YOUNG, TENG-SHAU
Owner HERCULES LLC
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